Land leveler



April 9, 1968 J. R. GROBERG LAND LEVELER 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 12,1964 INVENTOR.

v JOHN R. GROBERG ATTORNEYS J. R. GROBERG A ril 9, 1968 LAND LEVELER 3Sheets-Sheet :L

Filed Nov. 1 2, 1964 INVENTOR. JOHN R. GROBERG ATTORNEYS April 1968 J.R. GROBYERG 3,376,937

LAND LEVELER Filed Nov. 12, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IFIG. 7 72 64 60 SOULINVENTOR.

JOHN R. GROBERG BY 9 v 3 5 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,376,937 LANDLEVELER John R. Groberg, Kaysville, Utah, assignor to Gray MountainIedir, Inc., Kaysville, Utah, a corporation of Utah Filed Nov. 12, 1964,Ser. No. 410,588

7 Claims. (Cl. 172-780) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A land leveler havinga conveying, cutter-blade assembly with a rigid cutting edge and asuspended conveyor arranged to move and distribute earth along thecutting edge. The legs of the leveler are arranged to telescope and tofold against the conveying, cutter-blade assembly which is arranged tobe trailed longitudinally behind a towing vehicle for highway travel.

Brief description This invention relates to tractor-drawn land levelersof the type comprising a wheel mounted frame that carries a suspendedtransverse blade suitable for either rough or finished land grading.

It is customary for land levelers of this type to have rigid frames thatmay be fifty feet or more in length, and that are cumbersome totransport to and from work sites requiring grading. Patent No.3,036,392, issued May 29, 1962 discloses one such land leveler, whereinthe frame has been designed to telescope, thereby greatly reducing theoverall length of the leveler during transportation to and from a worksite.

The present invention also provides a land leveler, the overall lengthof which is readily reduced as it is transported. In the presentinvention, however, a special conveying, cutterblade is provided tocarry away excess earth accumulating in front of the blade and notdeposited in low spots. As a result of the eflicient operation of thisconveying, cutter-blade, a much wider blade can be used than is found onthe usual land leveler, and even a leveler designed to be pulled by anordinary farm tractor can be equipped with a blade eighteen feet, ormore wide. A wide blade further increases the problems in transporting aleveler from site to site, since in its transverse use position suchblade will completely block many roads.

Accordingly, the present invention not only provides a leveler that canbe folded to reduce its overall length as it is transported from site tosite, but one in which the blade is positioned along the trailing axisof the leveler during such transport, so that it does not provide anobstruction to road travel.

Through simple, lightweight, and inexpensive, mechanical components, theconveying, cutter-blade of the present leveler can also be easilyadjusted to provide any desired cutting depth or angle. Theselightweight components, together with the truss construction employed inthe invention result in a much lighter than usual land leveler. Thislight weight is a definite advantage since it also contributes to theease with which the leveler can be pulled by a tow vehicle. Furthermore,the light weight allows the soil to be worked when it is moist Withoutthe leveler becoming bogged down. Thus, in farm use the soil can beworked down to seed bed level with the leveler Without obtaining aslick, hard, finish on the ground such as results from the use ofheavier levelers that have to work on dry ground. It is thereforepossible for the farmer to omit many of the usual required harrowingsteps in land preparation.

There is shown in the accompanlying drawings a specific embodiment ofthe invention representing what is presently regarded as the best modeof carrying out the generic concepts in actual practice. From thedetailed description of this presently preferred form of the invention,other more specific objects and features will become apparent.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the land leveler of the invention set upfor grading operations, and with the dust guard removed for clarity;

FIG. 2, a side elevation of the land leveler in the position of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary enlarged view of the chain tightener of theleveler;

FIG. 4, a vertical section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5, a top plan view, with the land leveler folded to its travelposition;

FIG. 6, a side elevation of the land leveler in the position of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7, a vertical section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8, an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 88 ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 9, an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings:

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the land leveler, showngenerally at 10, includes a cross-head 11 to which legs 12 and 13 anddrawbar 14 are pivotally connected, and from which a conveying,cutter-blade assembly 17 is suspended.

Cross-head 11 includes parallel, upper, intermediate, and lower beams18, 19, and 20, respectively, with the intermediate and lower beams 19and 20 interconnected by diagonal and vertical truss members 21.

Posts 23 and 24, at opposite ends of the cross-head are respectivelyfixed to plates 18a and 18b extending oppositely outward from upper beam18. The posts are also fixed to similar plates 19a and 191), connectedto intermediate beam 19, and terminate at plates 20a and 20b extendingout from lower beam 20. Posts 23 and 24 provide pivots for legs 12 and13, as will be further explained.

Another post 25 is mounted midway of the length of l the head-frame, toprovide a pivot for drawbar 14. Post 25 is fixed to each of the upper,intermediate, and lower beams.

Legs 12 and 13 are each of truss construction, wtih an inclined upperrail 26 and a horizontal lower rail 27 interconnected by diagonal braces28. A cylindrical sleeve 29 interconnects the upper and lower rails 26and 27 of leg 12 and is journaled about post 23. A similar sleeve 30interconnects rails 26 and 27 of leg 13 and is journaled about post 24.

Attached to the end of each leg 12 and 13 remote from the cross-head isa short section 31 that includes a top rail 32, and a bottom rail 33,interconnected by diagonal braces 34. A shaft 35 extends behind eachshort section and a wheel assembly, including a pair of wheels 36, iscarried by the shaft.

Wheels 36 are journaled about an axle 37 and the axle extendstransversely through an upright support 38. C01- lar 39 is journaledaround support 38 so that the support, and thus the axle and wheelscarried thereby, are free to revolve about a vertical axis. Sleeve 40 isfixed to the collar, with the barrel of the sleeve extendingsubstantially normal to the axis of the upright support. Sleeve 40slides on shaft 35 and is locked in place by a pin 40a that extendsthrough corresponding holes, provided for the purpose, in the sleeve andshaft. This arrangement insures easy mounting and dismounting of theWheels and holds the wheels locked in travel position on the shortsections.-

The short sections are each adjustably attached to their respective leg12 or 13, by a pivot connection 41 that interconnects the lower rails 27and 33 and a spreader assembly 42 positioned between upper rails 26 andplates 43 mounted on top rails 32.

Spreader assemblies 42 can be of any commonly available type, but in theillustrated embodiment they each consist of a handwheel 45, an uprightjournaled handle 46 for rotating the handwheel, an elongate housing 47,and a threaded rod 48 that is reciprocated within hous ing 47 byrotation of the handwheel. The usual gearing within housing 47 convertsthe rotary motion of handwheel to the axial thrust of rod 48. Housings47 are pivotally connected to the upper rails 26 of the legs and thethreaded rods 46 are pivotally connected to plates 43. Rotation ofhandwheels 45 reciprocates rods 48 to pivot the short truss sectionsabout the pivot connections 41. It should be apparent that otherspreader assemblies could be used. For example, a conventional fluidpump operated assembly could replace the gear-operated spreader assemblyillustrated.

Drawbar 14 is constructed in the same manner as legs 12 and 13 and has ashort section 49 attached at its end. Short section 49 does not carrywheels, as do sections 31, but rather, its shaft 50 carries a hitch 50a,adapted to interconnect the land leveler and a towing vehicle. Thedrawbar is pivotally connected to the cross-head by a cylindrical sleeve51, corresponding to sleeves 29 of the legs 12 and 13. Sleeve 51 isjournaled about shaft 25.

Through rotation of handwheels 45 on the legs, and handwheel 52 on thedrawbar, the angular relation between the legs and their attached shortsections, and the drawbar and its attached short section can be variedto set the cross-head at desired height.

Cross-head 11 also serves as a frame support for the suspended conveyingcutter-blade assembly 17. Thus, spaced arms 53 reach out from lower beam20 to support a ground engaging curved blade 54 that extends the fulllength of the cross-head. The arms hold the long axis of the bladeparallel to the long axis of the cross-head.

Positioned immediately behind the curved blade is a flexible, endlessconveyor belt 55, that is suspended by a marginal edge 56 such that theworking run of the belt is in a vertical plane immediately behind theblade, with the conveyor belt skirting the cross-head.

The belt is suspended on an endless track 57, formed from a curved pieceof round rod, by pairs of grooved wheels 58 arranged to engage the trackfrom both above and below. The wheels are journaled on stub shafts 59that are fixed to rods 60 extending transversely across the belt. Rods60 are securely attached to the belt by rivets 60a and serve astransverse stiffeners for the flexible belt material. Track 57 is heldin position by laterally extending arms 61 that are carried by posts 23,24, and 25 and intermediate beam 19.

Vertical positioned, elongate rollers 62 are journaled top and bottomthrough upper and lower flanges 63 and 64 respectively, of intermediateand lower beams 19 and 20 to provide idlers for the working run of thebelt.

In operation, as the leveler is pulled by a tow vehicle, curved blade 54engages raised ground areas to grade them to desired level. Material cutloose during this operation is guided up and over the top edge of curvedblade 54 and impinges on the vertically positioned working run of theconveyor belt. When the blade and conveyor belt are arranged to extendother than normal to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle andleveler wheels, the impinging material applies a directional thrustforce to the conveyor belt that causes it to move around track 47. As ittravels, the conveyor belt carries the material thrown up in front of itby the blade transversely across the front of the leveler to deposit itin any low spots over which the leveler passes, or to the side of theleveler. Since the towing vehicle does not have to continue to pull allmaterial cut by the blade, 21 smaller, less powerful, towing vehicleand/or a longer cutting blade can be etficiently used.

The impinging material forced up from the blade also places an upwardthrust on the working run of the conveyor belt, such that the lowergrooved wheels of the pairs of wheels 58 engage and roll on track 57. Atthe same time, rollers 62 provide backing members for one belt andprevent its being pushed away from the blade. When the belt is on itsreturn run, it is suspended by the upper grooved wheels engaging thetrack.

A chain 70 has its ends bolted at 71 and 72, respectively, to cross-head11, and passes through a guide 73 and a chain tightener 74 at the freeend of drawbar 14, to form chain legs 75 and 76.

The lengths of the legs 75 and 76 are easily changed and these lengthsare determinative of the angles formed by the drawbar and the cross-headand, therefore, the cutting angle of blade 54.

The chain and pivoted drawbar allow the cutting angle to be varied asground conditions dictate and allow the angle to be set so that theconveyor will most effectively carry off material impinging on it.

To change the length of the legs, it is only necessary to withdraw pin77 from its holding position through guide 73, a chain link, and uppermember 78 of the drawbar; to release chain tightener 74; and to turn thedrawbar to the desired angle before replacing pin 77 and taking up anyslack in the chain with tightener 74.

The legs can be trailed directly behind the leveler during gradingoperation, regardless of the blade angle, since they are easily pivotedto a posidon extending substantially parallel with the drawbar. Clamps79 fix the relative position of telescoping members 80 and 81 making updiagonal braces 82 and 83, respectively, and when the ends of the bracesare connected to their legs by pins 84 and the clamps 79 are tightened,the braces, which are pivotally connected at their other ends to thecrosshead by a pivot rod 85, lock the legs in position.

Another curved blade 86, positioned above and facing opposite curvedblade 54, serves as a dust guard extending the length of the cross-head.Arms 87 extending outwardly from posts 23, 24, and 25 hold blade 86 inposition. Blade 86 prevents dust and other material being forced overthe top edge of the conveyor belt and into the conveyor guide andsupport mechanism where it might damage the operating structure.

To fold the leveler up for highway travel, it is only necessary torelease chain 70 from chain tightener 74 and guide 73, and to pivot thedrawbar counter-clockwise until it extends substantially parallel withthe long axis of the cross-head and conveyor belt. Diagonal braces 82and 83 are released, and leg 12 is then pivoted counter-clockwise untilit is positioned adjacent the drawbar.

A jack leg 90, also of truss configuration, is carried by leg 12 andwhen leg 12 is positioned adjacent the drawbar, jack leg 90 is releasedand pivoted clockwise about pivot connection 90a to a position extendingaway from the cross-head at the end opposite that from which the drawbarextends.

The diagonal telescoping braces 82 and 83 are shortened and pivoted to alocation beneath upper beam 18, and leg 13 is rotated counter-clockwiseuntil it extends away from the cross-head at the end opposite that fromwhich the drawbar extends. The entire apparatus is then held in placebetween legs 12 and 13 by a brace 91 that holds leg 13 and jack leg 90rigidly in fixed spaced relation. Brace 91 is preferably pivotallyconnected to leg 13 by a pivot pin 91a, and removable pin 91binterconnects the brace and jack leg 90.

The wheel assembly is removed from the short section 31 attached to leg12 by removing its pin 40a and sliding it off, and is then mounted on ashort section 92, similarly attached to jack leg 90. The angularrelationships of short section 92 and the jack leg 90, of the shortsection 31 and leg 12, and of the short section 49 attached to a towvehicle and drawbar 14, are set in the manner previously described, toposition the cross head 11 far enough above the ground surface that thecurved blade 54 will clear all obstacles as the leveler is moved along ahighway. If the drawbar of the leveler is attached to a hoist unit of atow vehicle, the hoist unit can also be readily used to change theheight of the blade.

The invention provides a highly eflicient lightweight land levelerhaving a maximum length cutting blade for the tow vehicle used. Thecutting blade can be easily set at any desired cutting height and angle,and the blade can be readily raised and the entire leveler can becompactly folded for road travel.

Whereas there is here illustrated and specifically described a certainpreferred construction of apparatus which is presently regarded as thebest mode of carrying out the invention, it should be understood thatvarious changes may be made and other construction adopted withoutdeparting from the inventive subject matter particularly pointed out andclaimed hereinbelow.

I claim:

1. A land leveler, comprising a cross-head; a pair of legs pivotallyconnected one at each end of said crosshead; a pair of brace members,each releasably interconnecting said cross-head and one of said legsintermediate its length; means for varying the length of each of saidbrace members; a wheel support shaft at the free end of each of saidlegs; wheels removably mounted on the wheel support shaft of each ofsaid legs; a drawbar; means pivotally connecting one end of said drawbarto the center of said cross-head; means adjustably interconnecting saidcross-head and the drawbar whereby the angles formed between the axes ofthe drawbar and cross-head can be fixed as desired; and a cutting bladeassembly suspended from said cross-head.

2. A land leveler according to claim 1, further including a jack legpivotally connected at one of its ends to one of said legs adjacent thepivot connection of the leg and the cross-head; and a wheel supportshaft carried by the free end of said jack leg.

3. A land leveler according to claim 2, wherein the scraper bladecomprises an upwardly curved ground engaging member having an elongateaxis and a flexible endless conveyor belt; means suspending said beltsuch that the conveying surface thereof is positioned in a verticalplane immediately behind the upper edge of the ground engaging member,with the working run of the belt extending adjacent the elongate axis ofthe ground engaging member.

4. A conveying, cutter-blade assembly, comprising a frame; a curvedblade fixed to the bottom of said frame; an endless conveyor belt; andmeans suspending said conveyor belt from said frame whereby its workingrun extends substantially parallel to and immediately behind the curvedblade, said means including a track carried by the frame, upper spacedrollers carried by a marginal edge of said conveyor belt and arranged toengage a top surface of said track; and lower spaced rollers carried bysaid conveyor belt and arranged to engage a lower surface of the trackin response to lifting action on the belt.

5. A conveying, cutter-blade assembly according to claim 4, furtherincluding spaced, elongate, vertically mounted 'rollers journaled in theframe and arranged to hold the working run of the conveyor beltsubstantially parallel with the blade.

6. A land leveler, comprising a cross-head; legs extend ing outwardlyfrom one side of said cross-head; wheels carried by said legs; a drawbarextending outwardly at the opposite side of said cross-head; an endlessconveyor belt; means suspending said conveyor belt from said crosshead,whereby the conveyor belt forms a skirt around the cross-head, with theworking run of the belt forming a substantially upright plane, saidsuspending means including guide means comprising a track carried by thecross-head and bearing means carried by the conveyor belt, said bearingmeans comprising upper rollers arranged to engage an upper surface ofthe track and lower rollers spaced from the upper rollers and adapted toengage a lower surface of the track in response to lifting action on theconveyor belt; a scraper blade; and means mounting said blade parallelto said conveyor belt, whereby material cut loose by the blade passesupwardly over the face of the blade to impinge on and drive the belt.

7. A land-leveler according to claim 6, wherein vertically mounted,spaced, elongate rollers carried by the cross-head hold the working runof the conveyor belt substantially parallel with the blade.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,617,538 2/1927 Mowbray 37-143 X1,816,389 7/1931 Moberg 37-143 2,567,805 9/1951 Doerfler 37-1682,747,306 5/1956 Hasenbuhler 37-144 X 3,036,392 5/1962 Marvin et a1.37-180 3,266,181 8/1966 Olafson 37-180 X ANTONIO F. GUIDA, PrimaryExaminer. ABRAHAM G. STONE, Examiner. R. L. HOLLISTER, AssistantExaminer.

